The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-12-24
Ghristnras 8tts.
Chips Of the Old Block of Mid-Win-
ter Poetry.

SHiPS Tn tn6 OlQ bIOCk OF mIQ-Wln-
ter Poetry.
1t is amusing to mark how neither the
dead poets nor the living, neither the
great nor small, have managed to keep
their hands off Christmas. 1t is as though
Kriss Kringle himself displaced the Muse
"a most interesting young lady, formerly,
but now scarcely, referred to except out
Of compliment), and put himself in her
place, in order that he might first give
inspiration and then snuff up the incense
the poets offer in thanks. It can not but
be borne in mind either that though many
poet fiocks to this shrine, upon which
the yule-log burns, requiring a vestal
virgins attention to keep it burning, the
bards differ widely among themselves as
to capacity of treatment. Almost all take
a jolly turn-but it is almost sacrilege to
do 30. A man without smile on Christ
mas is like the guest without the we'd
ding robe. On inquiry we shall discover
him to be speechless, and feel inclined to
cast him into outer darkness. Neither
will mere perfunctory JOY do. He must
kneel down ION both knees too) before
the Lord of Misrule and kiss his hands
with good, honest, hearty smack, just as
the servile wights, who were presented to
the Empress Catharine H., were compell-
ed to do. There is such thing as a man
willing himself into good humor. Is it
any great thing, we ask, of such a one?
Marry, no. He is not requested to make
long prisons with beanded neck and
downcast eyes, but to
Come to the Christmas tree
Where the brightest of bright eyes glance;
Come with footstep free
And join in the jovial dance.
He is asked to eat heartily at Wand
bending board, and ask twice for every
thing (and wish he may get it) if he 30
list. Here are few of the conceits the
poets have for the occasion. Baily
says:-
The mistletoe hung in the castle hall.
The holy branch shone on the old oak wall.
Susan Coolidge exclaims:-
We ring the bells and we raise the strain;
We hang up garlands everywhere.
And bid the tapers twinkle fair,
And feast and frolic-and then we go
Back to the same old lives again,
Keble in his Christmas Day" de-
clares:-
Like circles widening round
Upon a clear blue river,
Orb after orb, the wondrous sound
Is echoed on forever:
Glory to God on high, on earth be peace,
And love toward men of love-salvation ana
release.
Longtellow in his Fleur de Lis %
says:-
1 heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to menI
The same poet muses. thus
Shepherds at the grange,
Where the Babe was born,
Sang with many change
Christmas carols until morn.
MITES FROM MILTON.
From Milton we clip two particles. In
his Morning of Ohrist's Nativity" he
writes:-
Ring out We crystal spheres,
Once bless our human ears,
Of ye have power to touch our senses so:)
And let your silver chime
Move in melodious time,
And let the bass of Heavens deep organ
blow,
And with your ninefold harmony
Make up full consort to the angelic symphony.
In the same poem he breaks forth in
this fashion,
This is the month, and this the happy morn,
Wherein the Son of Heavens eternal King,
OF welded maid and virgin mother born,
Our great redemption from above did bring;
For so the holy sages once did sing.
That he our deadly forfeit should release,
And with his Father work as a perpetual
peace.
Clement @. Moore's might before
Christmas" is always popular. Shakes
peare, in Loves Labor Los" exclaims:-
AT Christmas no more desire a rose.
Than wish a snow in Nays new-fangled
shows.
L uoSol, III ulS 1.-Two huuQIcu JULIUS
OF Good Husbandry," says
At Christmas play, and make good cheer.
For Christmas comes but once year.
Miss Mulock has a few Christmas
rhymes. One set runs thus
God rest We, little children; let nothing you
alright,
For Jesus Christ, your Saviour was born this
happy night;
Along the hills of Galilee the white focks
sleeping lay.
When Christ. the child of Nazareth. was born
on Christmas Day.
The other (trom "a Hymn for Christ
mas Morning. In this fashion,
1t is the Christmas time.
And up and down 'twixt heaven and earth,
In the glorious grief and solemn mirth.
The shining angels climb.
Scott's" Marmion" contains the lines:-
England was merry England when
Old Christmas brought his sports again.
'Twas Christmas broachd the mightiest ale.
Twas Christmas told the merriest tale;
A Christmas gambol oft could cheer
THE poor mans heart through half the year.
Finally we wind up with the glorious
old Tennyson. Both passages are from
SIN Memoriam" One reads
The time draws near the birth of Christ;
The moon is hid the night is still;
Tho ThriStnoS haIIo from hill m hill